Explanation of Vote – November 2023
Statement by H.E. Ms Megan Anderson, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Australia to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
We thank the members of the Arab Group for bringing forward this resolution.
Australia voted in favour because we agree with the central proposition that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire.
We agree that human suffering is widespread and unacceptable.
The adoption of this text cannot replace the work of UN humanitarian and emergency teams and other first responders. Australia continues to strongly advocate for sustained access to affected people requiring humanitarian assistance. Australia’s $25 million aid package is focused on meeting the urgent needs of civilians in Gaza.
Despite this support, Australia wants to formally reflect our view that the resolution, as drafted, was incomplete. It did not make any reference to the 7 October terror attacks on civilians by Hamas that triggered the conflict nor the hostages who must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Australia has affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, while also saying the way it does so matters.
It matters for innocent civilians, who should not pay for horrors perpetrated by Hamas.
Widespread human suffering means the need for a just and enduring peace has rarely been more pressing. The future for both Israelis and Palestinians depends on this being realised.
Enduring peace will require a political solution. A two-state solution remains the only viable option.
UNESCO was founded upon our shared belief that lasting peace could be built through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture.
We believe in UNESCO’s mandate. We welcome measures within UNESCO’s mandate that safeguard cultural heritage and we reiterate calls for the protection of civilians in line with international law.
Cooperation in these fields can be of enormous value in the pursuit of peace.
Because a durable peace calls for people to see each other’s humanity. It requires all sides to respect the right of others to exist.
It requires that we seek common ground. And for this reason we are pleased this forum was able to come together and deliver this resolution.
Mr Chair, I request that this Explanation of Vote be entered into your oral report and the written record of this meeting.
